Funnel.



0. C. VETTERMANN.

FUNNEL.

APPLICATION FILED Dc.21. |916.

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I) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO o. VETTERMANN, or PINGREE GROVE, ILLINOIS.

FUNNEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

Application led December 27, 1916. Serial No. 139,214.

T all/whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO C. VETTERMANN,

j citizen of the United States, residing at Pingree Grove, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Funnels, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates -to funnels, and pari ticularly to funnels of that class wherein ranged as to insure positive closing action of the valve upon actuation of the float.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which has its actuating mechanisms housed or inclo'sed in such manner that opportunity for the said mechanisms becoming broken or deranged will be exceedingly remote.

A still further and particular object of the invention is to provide a funnel having an automatic valve mechanism which is of simplified and improved construction which is composed of but few simple and readily assembled parts, which may be manufactured at an extremely low cost, and which will prove thoroughly efficient in the attainment of the ends for which it is designed.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

The invention will be best understood by referring to )the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a funnel constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 isa transverse sectional view taken upon-line 2-2 of Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective View of valve member and operating stem.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 4 represents the body or bowl portion of a conventional form of funnel, which has the usual reduced neck 5 at its bottom through which liquid passes to a tank or receptacle.

Arranged across the bowl portion 4 of the funnel and preferably adjacent the bottom thereof is a diaphragm 6, which may be formed of metal secured to the walls of the funnel in any preferred manner, and which is provided with a central orifice or opening 7. Secured upon the diaphragm 6 and extending above the same is a cage 8, the latter Vbeing provided with suitable openings in its side walls to permit liquid to pass from the bowl. through the opening 7, and houses a vertically movable valve member 9. This valve member 9 may be formed of cork, rubber orany other suitable material, and is adaptedk when moved downwardly upon the diaphragm 6 to tightly close the valve opening 7 in the said diaphragm to prevent liquid passing to the outlet neck of the funnel.

Secured to the valve 9 and preferably ad- .jacent the edge thereof is a valve stem 10,

the same being extended through the opening 7, and passes in sliding engagement with one end wall of a j housing '11 depending from the suitable support l2 within the bowl 'portion of the funnel'an'd being inclosed by the nec-k portion 5 thereof. This housing is preferably rectangular in cross section, and its rend walls are of a width substantially equal to that of the valve stem l0. The valve stem l0 is formed preferably o-f a relatively thin metallic strip and has a longitudinally arranged series of spaced apertures 13 therein.

Depending from the exterior walls of the bowl 4 of the funnel and surrounding the neck 5 thereof is a foraminqus covering or 'housing 14, which in the present instance is formed of wire mesh, and has a reinforcing or stiflening strip l5 at its lower end. This housing is of greater length than the neck 5 of the funnel, and is inclosed adjacent its upper portion by an annular guard member or shield 16. The lower end of the foraminous member is open as shown and the float, such as a cork 17 is arranged for slidin movement within the housing. The lioat l is preferably of a size greater than the outlet opening at the lower end of the housing member, whereby the said float will be pre vented from becoming detached from the funnel. A steml 18 is secured to one side of the float and projects upwardly therefrom and 18.

The device is assembled in such manner that when the ioat 17 moves downwardly the valve 9 will move upwardly and vice versa. The funnel is inserted in the intake opening of the tank, and the weight of the float 17 causes the same to move to the lower end of the foraminous housing 14. This movement obviously forces the valve 9 upwardly to open position. Fluid directed into the funnel will pass through the openings in the cage 8 and through the opening 7 into the neck of the funnel. The fluid is then delivered to the interior of the tank through the foraminous walls of the ho-using 14. After the liquid level in the tank has risen to such extent as to engage the float 17, the latter will rise, and the stem 18 moving upwardly will create readily movement in the pinion 19, whereupon the valve 9 will be drawn downwardly to closed position. In this manner it is seen that further delivery of liquid to the tank through the funnel will be prevented. The particular arrangement of the various parts constituting the auto- Lmatically actuating funnel precludes the possibility of breakage or derangement of the same, and thereby perfect Operation of the funnel at all times is assured. After the funnel has been withdrawn from the tank and the liquid poured therefrom, the weight of the float 17 will cause the valve 9 to as sume normal or open position.

Vhile the above is a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that various changes in the minor details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to if desired without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claim.

lVhat is claimed is In a device of the class described, the combination with a funnel having the usual bowl and neck portions, a housing in the said neck portion, the said housing being rectangular in cross section, a pinion rotatably mounted in said housing, a valve in said bowl portion, a float in said neck portion, a pair of stems extending into said housing and being engaged with the end walls thereof, the said stems ybeing equal in width with the width of said housing and having openings therein to receive the teeth of vsaid pinion, and the outer ends of said stems being secured to the said valve and float respectively, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

oTTo o. VETTERMANN.

Vitnesses:

J. M. MANLEY, H. F. Ro'romin.

Copies of this patent may be obtained fox` five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

